Motorcycle Gas Tank Sink

ABSTRACT

Motorcycle gas tank sinks and methods of their construction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sink includes a basin and a shell. The basin has a drain area for discharging liquid from the basin, the shell has a motorcycle gas tank configuration, and the basin extends downwardly from an upper side of the motorcycle gas tank configuration. Another sink includes a basin and a shell. The shell has an outer surface simulating a motorcycle gas tank, and the basin extends downwardly from an upper side of the shell for receiving liquid. Still another sink includes a basin and a motorcycle gas tank altered to receive the basin therein. The basin is received in the motorcycle gas tank. Each of the various sinks may include a faucet for supplying water to the respective basins.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/401,727, filed Sep. 14, 2011, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/515,082, filed Aug. 4, 2011; both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter is directed to sinks.

BACKGROUND

Many types and styles of sinks are known, and many companies are devoted to the design and manufacture of sinks. Although various sinks exist, sinks typically have a basin portion for holding water (or other liquid) and a drain area for releasing the liquid. As most sinks have these basic requirements, sinks are often differentiated from one another by their dimensions, material of construction, and overall appearance. In many cases, appearance operates as an important determinant—and sometimes even the major factor—in the commercial success of the product. Although sinks may take various forms, the notion of configuring a sink to resemble a motorcycle gas tank is believed to be unique.

SUMMARY

Motorcycle gas tank sinks and methods of their construction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sink includes a basin and a shell. The basin has a drain area for discharging liquid from the basin, and the shell has a motorcycle gas tank configuration. The basin extends downwardly from an upper side of the motorcycle gas tank configuration.

In another embodiment, a sink includes a basin and a shell. The shell has an outer surface simulating a motorcycle gas tank, and the basin extends downwardly from an upper side of the shell for receiving liquid.

In still another embodiment, a sink includes a basin and a motorcycle gas tank altered to receive the basin therein. The basin is received in the motorcycle gas tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sink according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the sink of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the sink of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the sink of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the sink of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 5 show a sink 100 according to one embodiment. The sink 100 generally includes a shell 110 and a basin 150. The shell 110, and particularly an outer surface 112 of the shell 110, is shaped in the form of and to look like a motorcycle gas tank.

In some embodiments, the shell 110 may be an actual motorcycle gas tank altered to receive the basin 150. In other embodiments, the shell 110 may be constructed to simulate a motorcycle gas tank but never appropriate to function as a motorcycle gas tank. The shell 110 has upper and lower sides 114 a, 114 b, front and back ends 114 c, 114 d, and sides 114 e, 114 f, and may be constructed of aluminum, steel, fiberglass, plastic, and/or other appropriate material. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shell 110 may have a channel 116 at the lower side 114 b extending at least partially between the front and back ends 114 c, 114 d. For actual motorcycle gas tanks, the channel 116 may allow the tank to be coupled to a motorcycle frame.

As shown in FIG. 1, the basin 150 extends downwardly from the upper side 114 a of the shell 110 for receiving liquid (e.g., water). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the basin 150 may extend seamlessly from the shell 110. In other embodiments, a raised lip or other border may be present. The basin 150 may be generally rectangular, oval, circular, or of any other configuration, and preferably includes a drain area 152 for discharging liquid from the basin 150.

A faucet 170 may be coupled to the shell 110 (e.g., at the upper side 114 a adjacent the back end 114 d) for attachment to one or more supply line, and a sink drain 172 may be located at the drain area 152 of the basin 150. Various types of faucets 170 may of course be utilized, as may various types of drains 172. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a soap dispenser 174 and/or various ornamentation (e.g., a gas cap 176, a fuel line 178, etc.) may be included.

Structure may be provided for supporting the shell 110. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a plate 180 may extend from the shell 110 (e.g., at the back end 114 d) to attach the shell 110 to a wall, and support arms 182 may extend between the shell 110 and the plate 180 to support weight of the shell 110 and the basin 150. Other support structure may alternately be used, such as a pedestal.

Sinks according to the current invention may be constructed in various ways. For example, an authentic motorcycle gas tank 110 may be altered (e.g., cut) for receiving the basin 150, and the basin 150 may be welded to or rest upon the tank 110. The tank 110 may additionally be altered (e.g., cut) for receiving the faucet 170, the soap dispenser 174, and/or the plate 180, and those elements may be added. Alternately, the shell 110 and the basin 150 may be formed, either in one part or in multiple parts that are then combined together, through molding or forming processes. Especially when the shell 110 is constructed from something other than an authentic motorcycle gas tank, the sink 100 may have dimensions that depart even substantially from those of an authentic motorcycle gas tank.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. The specific configurations and contours set forth in the accompanying drawings are illustrative and not limiting. 

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A sink, comprising: a basin; and a motorcycle gas tank altered to receive the basin therein; wherein the basin is received in the motorcycle gas tank.
 17. The sink of claim 16, wherein transition between the basin and the motorcycle gas tank is substantially seamless.
 18. The sink of claim 16, wherein the basin has a drain area for discharging liquid from the basin; further comprising a sink drain at the basin drain area for selectively retaining liquid in the basin; and further comprising a faucet for supplying water to the basin.
 19. The sink of claim 16, wherein the basin is permanently fixed to the motorcycle gas tank.
 20. A sink, comprising: a motorcycle gas tank having an upper side with a hole defined therein; and a basin operatively supported by the motorcycle gas tank and extending downwardly from the motorcycle gas tank upper side.
 21. The sink of claim 20, wherein a back end of the motorcycle gas tank is truncated.
 22. The sink of claim 21, further comprising: a plate at the truncated back end; and support structure for mounting the motorcycle gas tank to a wall.
 23. The sink of claim 22, wherein transition between the basin and the motorcycle gas tank upper side is substantially seamless.
 24. The sink of claim 23, wherein the basin has a drain area for discharging liquid from the basin; further comprising a sink drain at the basin drain area for selectively retaining liquid in the basin; and further comprising a faucet for supplying water to the basin.
 25. The sink of claim 24, wherein the basin is permanently fixed to the motorcycle gas tank.
 26. The sink of claim 20, further comprising: a plate extending from the motorcycle gas tank for attaching the motorcycle gas tank to environmental structure; a first support arm spanning between the motorcycle gas tank and the plate to support weight of the motorcycle gas tank and the basin; and a second support arm spanning between the motorcycle gas tank and the plate to support weight of the motorcycle gas tank and the basin.
 27. The sink of claim 20, further comprising: a faucet for supplying water to the basin; and a sink drain at the basin drain area for selectively retaining water supplied by the faucet in the basin.
 28. The sink of claim 20, further comprising: a plate extending from the motorcycle gas tank for attaching the motorcycle gas tank to environmental structure; and a support arm spanning between the motorcycle gas tank and the plate to support weight of the motorcycle gas tank and the basin.
 29. The sink of claim 20, further comprising a gas cap extending from the motorcycle gas tank.
 30. The sink of claim 20, wherein transition between the basin and the motorcycle gas tank is substantially seamless.
 31. The sink of claim 20, wherein the basin is generally rectangular.
 32. The sink of claim 20, further comprising means for supporting the motorcycle gas tank.
 33. The sink of claim 20, further comprising a faucet for supplying water to the basin; wherein the motorcycle gas tank has front and back ends; and wherein the faucet is generally adjacent the motorcycle gas tank back end. 